Scaling vector field marker arrow based on attribute?

Question

I have discovered how to create vector lines to indicate flow direction and velocities. With a "vector field marker" symbol layer type, the lines lengths vary based on the data attributes. However, when using an arrow as a symbol layer type, I can only seem to get the line to scale and not the arrow head. I would like to scale the arrow head proportionally with the line based on the data attributes. Is there a way to do this?

Answer 1

You should get the desired output by recurring to a custom expression.

Firstly, click on the Edit... button for the Head length option:

Then, type this expression:

length(
 make_line(
  $geometry,
  make_point(
   $x +  "Vel_X_ft_p_s",
   $y +  "Vel_Y_ft_p_s"
   )
  )
 ) / 3

which is saying, in an imaginary way:

"For the current feature, draw a head having a length which is 1/3 of the total length of the line."

You can obviously change the 3 number as you want and apply a similar rule if you want to do the same for the Head thickness parameter (you have just learned how to do it).

Applying the edit on the Head length parameter as above seems to work for me:

Answer 2

An alternative more simple approach would be to use a SVG marker instead of a vector marker field, with just setting the scale and rotation.

SVG Style:

Attribute table:

Map:

If you want the hydrology map with the same arrow line width, this might not suite you, since the entire styled object is scaled.